This is the city: Los Angeles, California. I work here. I'm an ex-mayor. Los Angeles is a magnet for people from all over the world. Some of them run for public office. Inevitably some of them stray from the golden rule and rule for those that have the gold. That's when I go to work. My name is Yorty. I'm a dead pol.

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Morning Treats on the Tricky Calderon ( and enabling Friends) Political Machine for Halloween

As the Sacramento and Local Political Establishments reels from the latest Nefarious Allegations involving the Montebello (aka "CD 14 East") Calderon Political Family, we disclose the supposed, enabling link of possible CD 14 City Council Candidate, State Senator Kevin De Leon, to this politically explosive scandal ........ and its not good.

State Senator Ron Calderon will push your desired legislation for the right price, (allegedly). ﻿

What political (via state fiscal) price will enabling fellow State Senator Ron Calderon's alleged schemes, cost Kevin De Leon, in regards to his future political aspirations?

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Morning Briefs on the Dsyfunctional Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

From their alleged roles in the Building & Safety Department Bribery Scandal, through the litigious Backroom Redistricting 2012 Controversy, the duo of "Thelma Wesson" and "Louise Huizar" are now subject of a second lawsuit by Huizar former Staffer Francine Godoy.

Will the alleged, nefarious dealings of "Thelma Wesson" and "Louise Huizar", plunge the City of Los Angeles over a litigious, ethical cliff?

Francine Godoy stirring up another litigious cocktail.

Great bloggin Hump Day as the coughing and hacking, gives way to a return to the political cyber world.

Lets pick our bloggin top topic this A.M. Is it LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy punking the "United Totalitarians of Los Angeles" (UTLA) or former CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar Staffer Francine Godoy dropping another lawsuit on the City of Los Angeles? CD 14 Survey says ........ choose the sex.

My thoughts? When all is said and done regarding this alleged affair/ harassment controversy, nothing will remain but the scorched reputations of a "Political Tonto", the "Other Woman" and a "Mini Amin" enabler.

Memories of the Past and Future: You walk up a flight of stairs and emerge in the hallway near council chambers. A man at the far end of the hall sees you, waves and runs your way, holding up a briefcase. As he approaches, you see he is wearing a $3,000 suit; you can smell the faint whiff of Charlie Sheen coming off him. Somehow he reminds you of a past mayor. He opens his mouth and the light reflecting off his beautiful white teeth nearly blinds you. He flips open the briefcase. “Can I tell you about Herbalife?” he asks with zeal. Noooooo! You run.

Friday, October 25, 2013

On Deadline .......................

This blogger has pending work, family and Neighborhood Council related issues pending. Will return early Monday A.M. with full slate of bloggin topic. Have a safe and restful weekend---Scott Johnson.** Monday morning Update: Chest cold has put this blogger down until afternoon at earliest. (S.J.)

Thursday, October 24, 2013

As KCAL/ KCBS airs its exclusive inside video (** with comments from this blogger) of City Clowncil Central Committee Strongman Herb "Mini Amin" Wesson's uber-praising of embattled CD 14 Clown Central Committee Member Jose Huizar at Tuesday Fundraiser, LA's old and new media are not cutting the Wesson-Huizar Duo any journalistic slack.

"Political Papi and Mijo" want to serve you a Third Term of the "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate".

Photo by Donna Evans of the Downtown News.﻿

CD 14 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Jose Huizar can rest assure that his "Political Papi" former Mayor Antonio Villar's friends still have his back ......., for now.

The supposed media organs of record were out in force last evening as the likes of David Zahniser, Rick Orlov, the Downtown News and assorted media trucks (** KCAL/ KCBS get comments from Huizar on video), mass behind the velvet chains, to document the 100-200 Huizar donors at last evening's Fundraising Kickoff, within the Spring Street "Exchange Club".

Comments from those who attended were fleeting and concise but the most telling came from LA County Labor Federation Leader and Mayor Villar's "Comadre" Maria Elena Durazo who stated her "conditional support" for the "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate". From the Daily News.

For Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, it was too early to weigh in. “Of course there are concerns. Any kind of allegations ... of course there are concerns,” she said. “But I’m not in a position right now to say he’s guilty or not guilty. And we know there is a process. And when that process is finished and there are conclusions, we will judge based on that.”

That, coming from Huizar's "Political Papi's Comadre", can be interpretive as "another huge mistake and your political career is done".

** We ponder if "Old Gray Collectivist Hag on Spring Street" (aka LA Times) highest-paid Columnist Steve Lopez, would like to replicate his "Day as CD 4 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Tom LaBonge", by assuming the role of Labonge's CD 14 Colleague? Just think of the alleged, "inter-office opportunities" Lopez could partake in, via role playing/ channeling the supposed work place proclivities of the "Dear Charro/ Princeton Graduate".

What the story does not reveal, but I know to be fact based on insider information, is that Edelman PR hired him to coordinate the toilet cleaning of their clients, primarily in Central America; this being his greatest area of expertise. It's expected that he should be able to increase the corporate revenues by at least several thousand a year. (that was good tongue in cheek satire).
Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14﻿

Matter of fact, the last time we can remember "MEAT/ Chief Parker" crossing the campaign finish line as a winner was a seemly long-ago (2007) San Fernando Valley LAUSD School Board Race which Tamar Galatzan edged out the terminally-ill, late incumbent Jon Lauritzen. Since then, well, the losing streak continues.

Vladovic spokesman Mike Trujillo called Galatzan’s resolution a “distraction” from the purpose of the Oct. 29 meeting, which was called to address security and other concerns raised during the initial phase of the district’s effort to equip every student with an iPad.“This iPad rollout has enough holes in it to make a block of Swiss cheese blush,” Trujillo said.
Geez Mikey, did you shoot political holes in the cheese? Just a thought.

UPDATE: A previous version of this story used inaccurate information provided by the city’s Personnel Department. Councilman Jose Huizar is in fact in compliance with the city’s harassment training requirements and has taken the class three times, an offical with the Personnel Department clarified Monday afternoon. Other managers cited by the department have also taken the course.
Your thoughts ..............
Scott Johnson in CD 14﻿

Clowncil Strongman "Mini Amin" Wesson knows that the CD 14 "Dear Charro, Princeton Graduate" Huizar is in deep political trouble regarding his supposed "Occasional, Consensual Affair" with former Deputy Chief of Staff Francine Godoy. Thus, its priority number one to collect capricious amounts of campaign contributions, in the hope that Parke Skelton can craft the "newly, reinvented Dear Charro Family Man/ Princeton Graduate" Huizar in time for 2015.

But besides rehabilitating a tarnished politico, "Mini Amin" Wesson must stand by Huizar because this duo has some joint political baggage that may bring down both of them.

Huizar's alleged act of contrition came in response to Godoy's filing of a Sexual Harrassment Lawsuit which makes the accusation that the CD 14 Office Holder retaliated against Godoy for resisting repeated sexual advances by the Princeton Graduate.

** First, what was the hiring protocol/ time line for Godoy's current position with the Bureau of Sanitation? Was her current position predicated on a Civil Service process? If not, then who was responsible for Godoy's transfer, maybe former Mayor Antonio Villar?

** Second, what role did City Councilman Huizar's Attorney Wife Richelle play in the transfer of Godoy to the Bureau of Sanitation? A rumor making its way around City Hall, had Richelle going directly to then Mayor Villar and requesting that he use his power to remove Godoy from her husband's "oversight". From media sources, we know that this alleged action was initiated in the Summer of 2012. Thus, if this was true, would that merit deposing the former Mayor and staunch Council Huizar supporter?

** Third, what did former CD 14 Chief of Staff Ana Cubas know? Unlike Godoy, who alleges in her lawsuit, that Councilman Huizar reneged on endorsing her for a LA Community College Board of Trustees Campaign, for the meer act of "saying no" to his sexual advances, Cubas had her ex boss's full support in the recent CD 9 City Council Campaign loss to now City Councilman Curren Price. Will Cubas go on the record regarding Godoy's allegations?

** Fourth, did Councilman Huizar use a portion of the $1.2 Million Dollars plus, transferred from the CD 14 Central Los Angeles Refuge Transfer Station (CLARTS) Amenities Fund to pay for Godoy's rampant rise in pay? From $45,000 to $135,000 per year, this rapid hike in compensation, merits a complete audit how the transfer of CLARTS Funds into Councilman's Huizar Salary Account, were dispensed and the rationale behind those allocations.

** Fifth, how will Godoy justify acceptance of her increase salaries in recent years? According to sources, several properties are listed under her name, one in CD 14's Hillside Village Community and the second near Union Station. Would Godoy state for the record whether either one of the properties, was used (or not) by her and/or Councilman Huizar for any "extra-curricular activities"?

Sadly, there is no doubt here that either of these two will come out of this growing scandal clean. But the last question CD 14 voters should ask themselves come 2015, is whether Councilman Huizar is fit to serve another four years at City Hall.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

The Political Race to take Credit for Preservimg Hazard Park (minus a united community)

As an unified community stood up against the "University of Scandalous Conduct" (USC) scheme to encroach on Historic Green Space , CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar and LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, crafted "Spin of Self-Praise" for their supposed roles in preserving Hazard Park. (** Caution for excessive political spinning below).

Councilmember Leads Effort for Change to USC Plan at Hazard Park

(???????????????????)

Councilmember Huizar has been instrumental in making sure USC engage with community members, residents and concerned citizens regarding the university’s plans to extend Norfolk Street through Hazard Park to Soto Street as part of USC’s Master Plan to expand its Medical Campus west of Hazard Park.During early discussions with USC, Councilmember Huizar withheld his support for the project, asking university officials to first meet with residents, hear their concerns and more importantly, make a good-faith effort to act on those concerns.At the Councilmember’s request, two Town Hall meetings were held at Hazard Park where residents and Hazard Park supporters spoke about the lack of an interactive relationship between the various surrounding eastside neighborhoods and the university, as well as concerns about the effects of cutting through the park and a lack of park and community improvements being offered in return.Councilmember Huizar’s office and residents subsequently asked USC to consider alternative routes that would not cut through the park. In a meeting with Councilmember Huizar’s staff this week, USC proposed an alternative plan that would extend the street south of the park to Soto without cutting directly through Hazard Park.This is an obvious improvement from what was first proposed and comes as a direct result of community input and good-faith pressure from Councilmember Huizar’s office.While this is a significant and important first step by USC, Councilmember Huizar believes there is still room for improvement. He has concerns regarding parking and agrees with the community that more is needed in terms of community benefits.He has asked USC to address these concerns and then take it back to the community to hear their feedback. In the coming days and weeks, Councilmember Huizar will continue to encourage and engage in dialogue among USC, the community and his office.The Councilmember understands the social and cultural importance of Hazard Park. He will not support any project that undermines that.However, if there is an opportunity to improve the park, while allowing USC to improve its campus and the community supports it, we should seriously consider it.

An Open Letter from LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina

She sure does below ..........................

In reality, the credit in preserving Hazard Park should be shared by all, including CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, LA County Board of Supervisor Gloria Molina, USC, but most important, a united community.

Morning Briefs on the Los Angeles Political Machine for Hump Day

** Great Bloggin Hump Day to all in the local political cybersphere as we start this A.M. in commending Mayor Garcetti for reversing course. Usually, reversing course on a policy issue is derided from failures in the implementation (think the debacle that is Nobamacare), but in the case of the proposed merger of the Building & Safety and Planning Departments, initiated by former Mayor Antonio Villar, hindsight along with foresight, prevented a policy FUBAR waiting to happen.

Pasternak (bankruptcy overseer) has accused ADI of dramatically inflating its bills at various development projects, many of them in the city's poorest neighborhoods. Many were also plagued by poor construction or substandard materials, he said.

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

Is Controversial Educator Mark(os) Aguilar-Ferguson seeking the help of Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez in overturning Charter Revocation in Sacramento?

Is the controversial co-founder of the Lucrative 1% Charter Education Collective, Academia Semillas del Pueblo, Mark(os) Aguilar-Ferguson, seeking the help of new 51st Assembly District (by the way of Riverside) Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, in overturning the Charter Revocation of LAUSD?

A dejected Mark(os) Aguilar-Ferguson sits to the right of his wife Minnie Ferguson at recent Los Angeles County Board of Education (LACOE) Hearing. The County Board voted to affirm the decision of LAUSD, in revoking the Charter of the Semillas High School. The action prompted this Tweet from Aguilar-Ferguson below.

In a Mayor Sam Exclusive, we have learned that the controversial co-founder of the Lucrative 1% Charter Education Collective, Academia Semillas del Pueblo, Mark(os) Aguilar-Ferguson, is seeking the help of 51st Assembly District Newby Assemblyman Jimmy Gomez, in supporting State Board of Education Action, to overturn the LAUSD Charter Revocation of the Semillas High School Campus.

Mark(os)-Ferguson tweeted the above photo of Assemblyman Gomez (at the far left of front row) at a community meeting yesterday within the LA-32 Neighborhood Council area. Assemblyman Gomez has been making himself notice at a large number of community events (which prompted one constituent to call him "Councilman Gomez", but I digress), but surely, the First Term Lawmaker (via Riverside) is not well-verse in the controversial and troubling history of the El Sereno Charter School.

The appearance of Aguilar-Ferguson at the Assemblyman Gomez event, can be seen as a last act of desperation in having the State Board of Education overrule the decisions of LAUSD and LACOE, which Assemblyman Gomez must support, if the Semillas High School Campus stands any chance of a Sacramento intervention.

But for Assemblyman Gomez, he should be wary of planting the seed of a Sacramento intervention on behalf of Aguilar-Ferguson's discredited Educational Collective, for the negative backlash (especially in the El Sereno Community), that surely would sprout, may prompt some to send Gomez back east on the 60 Freeway.

Monday, October 14, 2013

The Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation strives to rehabilitate a neglected Lincoln High School Athletic Facility Infrastucture

A proud, Bloggin Lincoln High School Tiger, Class of 1984, spotlights the efforts of the Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation, in rehabilitating a neglected athletic facility infrastructure.

The late, great Tiger, UCLA Bruin and LA Rams Kenny Washington.

** Blogger's Note: Please pardon this bloggin moment of flashback Tiger Pride as we share the ongoing efforts of the Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation, in rehabilitating the neglected Lincoln High School athletic infrastructure that produce the late, great Tiger, UCLA Bruin and Professional Football Star, who along with UCLA Classmate Jackie Robinson, were co-pioneers in integrating professional sports. During my four years at LHS, this young Tiger experience first hand and still feels the affects that a neglected athletic infrastructure can have on a school athlete. From running on a track that had the give of concrete, to an irregular surfaced football field, with bleachers so old that condemnation was the last recourse in preventing harm to the viewing public, this athletic graduate knows all too well the aches and pains a neglected athletic infrastructure can render. In now its third year, the Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation is continuing its public-private crusade to rectify decades of funding neglect by LAUSD, in rehabilitating the athletic infrastructure that not only produce Kenny Washington, but countless of Tiger Graduates, who's development of athletic skills, was an equal partner in the growth of the complete, character based, student athlete. Please support by attending or donating. For more information, please refer to the fact sheets, with photos below---Scott Johnson.

Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation Fact Sheet, Page 1

Kenny Washington Stadium Foundation Fact Sheet, Page 2

The Goal of the Kenny Washington Foundation. But below the realities of decades of LAUSD neglect ..........

Fun Times at CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino's Block Party

CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino's Block Party an "Above Average Celebration" of Columbus Day and Italian Heritage.

** Blogger's note: Kudos to the "Average Joe", now CD 15 City Councilman Joe Buscaino, who sure knows how to throw a Block Party. Since his election to succeed now Congresswoman Janice Hahn, the former homegrown LAPD Senior Lead Officer, has done a great job of remaining connected to his constituents via the power of Social Media and the utilization of old fashion community events such as yesterday's Block Party. Its refreshing to see a community event where the connection between constituent neighbors and its homegrown elective official, was mutual. We post below some of the photos from yesterday's festivities (via Councilman Buscaino's Facebook Page) and commend an "Average Joe" for remaining true to his community roots---Scott Johnson.

** The First Cousin of former Mayor Antonio Villar, Assembly Speaker John Perez is looking at becoming the "Cali-Greece on the Pacific's" next Controller, come 2014. Speaker Perez had been rumored as a possible 2015 challenger to current CD 14 City Councilman Jose Huizar, who recent ethical troubles make him a target (likewise, Speaker Perez has some fiscal skeletons of his own). "Cali-Greece on the Pacific" voters home and business owners who's property taxes are protected by the late Howard Jarvis Prop 13, may want to know that a Controller Perez will endeavor to make impotent, the collectivist protections of Howard's "Third Rail of Cali-Greece on the Pacific Politics".

Los Angeles Fire Department chief Brian Cummings has been asked by Mayor Eric Garcetti to step down, according to a city source.Cummings spoke with the mayor’s office on Wednesday, according to the source, who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter.It’s expected that the mayor will announce this week that the chief will leave the department in early 2014.Calls to the LAFD were not returned Wednesday night or Thursday morning.Mayoral spokesman Jeff Millman declined to comment when reached Thursday morning...... which big name department head will be next?

From a past blog post:CD 4 City Councilman Tom LaBonge's "Chief of Field Operations" Dave Ahern moonlighting as landscaping worker at supposed Hollywood Sign tourist spot. Wonder if the project was exempt from CEQA requirements?

﻿

Two years later, what is the out-going CD 4 City Clowncil Central Committee Member Tom LaBonge comments about the problem he contributed to?

Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge, who represents the area, believes the problems would be lessened if the tour companies would park at the Griffith Observatory to view the sign."I absolutely do support people visiting here from around the world," LaBonge said. "But the impact on the neighborhood has been great."...... with contribution from your "all hands on staffers".

Did the Lucrative 1% Charter Education Collective Duo of Mr. and Mrs. Mark(os) Aguilar-Ferguson (along with supporter Richard Alatorre), have a good day at the Los Angeles County Board of Education Meeting? Maybe not, judging from this morning's Twitter comment below.

** Sacramento Politicos State Senator Kevin De Leon, Assemblyman Ricardo Lara and Assembly Speaker John (First Cousin of Tony Villar) Perez, got caught up in the emotion of the moment, as the mass crowd at Boyle Heights Resurrection Church, chanted "SHUT IT DOWN!", referring to the City of Vernon Exide Battery Plant. From the LA Times.At one point in the raucous meeting, the crowd started screaming, "Shut it down! Shut it down!" Pérez and state Sens. Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) clapped in time to the chant...... we wonder if Senator De Leon would clap along for a "SHUT DOWN THE CITY OF VERNON" Chant?$50 Million Dollars of Dirty Vernon Money, naught.

Tuesday, October 08, 2013

Stand Up for Educational Accountibility by Affirming the Charter Revocation of the Controversial Academia Semillas del Pueblo Charter School

The Controversial Lucrative 1% Educational Collective of Academia Semillas del Pueblo faces its "moment of truth" and you can help in putting a end to the true purveyors of hateful, divisive and shameful rhetoric in education.

RE: Letter and Petition to Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) to deny the charter received on appeal for Anahualcalmecac International University Preparatory AKA Semillas Sociedad Civil “Semillas” on October 8, 2013

Dear Board President and Members of the Board of Education,

On September 6, 2013 residents and taxpayers of the community of El Sereno who live and reside near or around the three sites currently used for the Charters Semillas Sociedad Civil - Anauhualcalmemcac University Preparatory High School, AKA “Semillas” wrote a letter and enclosed a petition to voice our concerns and demanded that the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE)denythe charter petition received on appeal for Anahuacalmecac International University Preparatory.The letter cited low academic performance, failing to comply with the Office of Inspector General, Federal and State tax violations, illegal Café and school cafeteria, health and safety concerns specifically L.A.M.C. zoning and parking violations and most importantly cited the school governance as problematic that has led to financial conflicts of interest by the school administration.Semillas’ lack of transparency and possible misappropriation of funds raises questions as to the ethical behavior of the School Administrators as the school was operating with negative net assets and negative net income which called into question whether the governing board – husband and wife duois adequately “exercising its fiduciary duty” to oversee and manage the school’s finances.

In a similar case, the husband and wife founders of a San Fernando Valley charter school were sentenced Friday for the misappropriation of more than $200,000 in public funds.This legal case will have major impacts and will affect charter schools statewide and will expose other Charter School operators such as Semillas Administrators:

As in the San Fernando case we believe that a similar conflict of interest exists between the School Administration and Board of Directors including the Executive Director and Principal, a married couple.According to the most recently filed IRS Form 990 – 2010, the married couple has received both a salary and a stipend as Board Members/Trustees of over $261,104. In addition the owner of the properties Tzicatl Development Corporation which leases the buildings to Semillas lists the Executive Director as Mr. Marcos Aguilar who is also “Executive Director of Semillas” and “Non-Voting Member of the Board of Trustees” for Semillas, raising legitimate questions as to the conflict of interest that exists between the two Non Profit Entities.